Date Archives: January 2022

Once a month, Richmond's thriving arts community takes center stage in one of the city's most popular traditions. Our real estate agents love visiting Downtown Richmond for First Fridays from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. During these monthly events, make sure to stop by these wonderful galleries, shops, and restaurants that are right down the street from Richmond homes for sale.

• Big Secret - 120 W. Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23220
  Lasers may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but Big Secret uses them as a tool to create "future artifacts." The artists use the energy and precision of laser beams to turn wood, metal, glass, and fabric into toys, jewelry, home accessories, and other works of art. Even non-traditional materials such as shoes, leaves, and film stock can be a canvas for this creative form. Big Secret's studio is open by appointment and for special events such as First Fridays.
  
  
• Quirk Gallery - 207 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
  Art is meant to be shared. In addition to exhibits of innovative work from top and emerging artists, Quirk Gallery has a boutique of curated items that make wonderful gifts. The Quirk also hosts pop-up shops, one-day-only shows, and workshops that let you unlock your own creative spirit. Hours are 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon - 4 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe - 218 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
  The creatively designed and decorated drinks at Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe are works of art in their own right. All coffee drinks, such as Mayan Mocha and Banana Bread Latte, are made with fair-trade organic beans that are roasted locally. If you're looking for a light breakfast or lunch, Lift offers a nice selection of sandwiches, paninis, and salads. Relax with friends over a beer, wine, or cocktail. Lift is open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
  
  
• Blue Bones - 310 N. Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220
  Lauren Healy-Flora worked for iconic designer Anna Sui, while Jeremy Flora has had a lifelong passion for vintage. Together, their fashion instincts and knowledge have turned Blue Bones into Richmond's hippest vintage and consignment shop. When you visit, chances are that Lauren herself will be helping you pick out the perfect outfit, accessories, or home decor items. Blue Bones is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 6 p.m.
  
  
• Vagabond - 700 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
  Vagabond serves a menu of upscale Southern favorites in a stylishly casual ambiance. Customers give high marks to the shrimp po'boy, fried catfish, collard greens, and mac 'n' cheese. On weekends, head downstairs to the Rabbit Hole, a speakeasy-style bar with live entertainment. Vagabond is open for dinner and drinks Thursday through Sunday, as well as Sunday through Wednesday on show nights at the National.

Be a part of the creative energy in Richmond. Contact us at Joyner Fine Properties for cheerful and dedicated help from our experienced agents. 

Redecorating after moving into a new home can feel like an insurmountable task. Let's say you've finally closed on one of these Richmond homes for sale and are looking to change up a few things to fit your style better. Now, where do you start?

Let's take a closer look at the trending paint colors that will inspire you in 2022. Make sure to consider the mood you want to inspire and the types of rooms you might want to use these trends for in your home.

• Bring on the Energy with Red
  Red is energetic, lively and just happens to be the color of good luck. While many people associate the color red with exteriors, country barns, and farmhouses, red is undergoing a renaissance in interiors. Red is becoming a pretty popular color for dining rooms, living rooms, and entryways because of its ability to awaken appetites and spur conversations. When you first paint a room red, it can feel overwhelming. Here, the key is to pay attention to what colors, materials, and décor pieces you pair red with. Red, of course, makes a great accent color. You can paint one wall red or just the ceiling to give the room a nice, cozy feel without overwhelming it. 
  
  
• Evoke Happiness with Yellow
  ​​​​​​​Yellow is the color of happiness and is considered the strongest color psychologically. It brings positive vibes and can instantly lift your mood and energy levels the minute you walk into a room. The shade citron is a muted yellow that's grounding and calming without being draining. It's a beautiful color that's abundant in nature. Plus, it pairs excellently with olive greens. Yellow can make a room feel bigger. Moreover, wooden furniture looks great with yellow walls. Yellow is a great color for living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. It can awaken a space by inducing excitement and enthusiasm.
  
  
• Green for Calming Shades
  Green is the most prolific color in nature. Painting your walls green can bring about that same calming energy you get when walking in nature. There's a reason actors and TV show guests relax in greenrooms before appearing on talk shows. It's a calming color that brings a sense of relaxation, safety, and security into a space. For this reason, green is a great color for your bedroom, living room, or kitchen. It's also one of the easiest colors to decorate around.
  
  
• Bring Richness with Pantone's Color of the Year
  Soft lilac is going to be everywhere in 2022. It's a shade of purple that's soothing and relaxing. In fact, all shades of purple have this effect to varying degrees. However, deeper shades like plum can make a room feel more luxurious and dignified. The elegance of purple is undeniable, and while it's not the color you expect when walking into a room, it's more versatile than you think. Pantone has released a new color, Very Peri Pantone 17-3938, a vibrant shade of periwinkle designed to pique creativity while bringing warmth and joy into a room. It's been named the Pantone color of the year for 2022, designed to merge the calming qualities of blue with the dynamic presence of a violet-red undertone, making it the perfect color for absolutely any room in your house.

2022 is your year! Our real estate agents are well-versed in Richmond real estate and can help you find a home that suits your style and needs. Contact us today so you can start searching for a home where you can utilize your favorite interior design trends.

Our real estate agents know there are plenty of reasons to love Richmond, Virginia!

If you've been exploring Richmond homes for sale, you're already aware of many of them. Natural beauty, a thriving arts scene, and a vibrant economy all contribute to attracting new residents each and every year. But there's something else that shouldn't be underestimated: The food!

The culinary scene in the RVA is second to none, blending ingredients and influences from around the world. Combined with the local small business scene and the area's passion for microbreweries and wineries, you've got a city with a truly unique palate. There's always something new to try!

When you move to Richmond, you are coming to a city that has something to match every taste – and it is sure to introduce you to flavors you never imagined before. The best examples come from local small restaurants that you won't find anywhere else. But where are these acclaimed "best-kept secrets?"

Looking to try a new restaurant, or new to you restaurant, among the many options in the RVA? Here are some unique restaurants to consider when you dine out in 2022:

• Little Nickel – 4702 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225
  Little Nickel is a local staple in the RVA, a neighborhood restaurant with a tropical flair. Truly unique to the area, it combines influences that could best be called "tropical diner." American classics are served with a splash of Mediterranean flair and colorful, carefully crafted cocktails that add plenty of fun to the dining experience. Popular mains include lamb shank tacos, crab spaghetti, and salmon l'orange.
  
  
• Fighting Fish – 912 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230
  Fighting Fish stands out as one of the area's leading sushi restaurants. Available for dine in and online takeout, it boasts happy hour from 5 p.m. daily. Delicious at lunch or dinner, it is perhaps best known for its "Sushi Burritos." These giant nori-wrapped confections come with tuna, salmon, shrimp tempura, or barbecued eel along with your choice of a variety of fillers inspired by Mexico and Japan.
  
  
• The Wooden Spoon – 5714 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226
  For authentic Spanish tapas and paellas paired with a refreshing assortment of fine wines, The Wooden Spoon is the place to be. Billing itself as a "Restaurant and Craft Cocktail Bar," it prides itself on the farm-to-kitchen freshness of its ingredients. Dinner is available by reservation only, with patio or indoor seating to choose from. Fans love the organic flair of dishes like chicken parmigiana, ribeye steak, and filet mignon.
  
  
• Sonora Cantina – 11 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
  Sonora Cantina has a reputation for fresh, tasty food bolstered by its unique "Bottomless Brunch," which takes place every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3:30. At 14 buffet stations and four beverage stations, there is something for everyone! The rest of the week holds plenty of surprises, too, with indoor seating at the sports bar or a thrilling experience in the rooftop dining area available throughout the season.
  
  
• The Broken Tulip Social Eatery – 3129 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
  The Broken Tulip Social Eatery offers lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Advertising "Real Food, Interesting Wines," it uses its strong relationships with a variety of local farms to provide diverse seasonal cuisine. It is also known for its Wine Club and for a wide range of festive events, including the annual New Year's Eve dinner. You can even buy its produce, provisions, and tea online.

Delicious food is just the beginning of what the Richmond area has to offer! Contact us to discover more about living in the RVA.

There's nothing like a nice cup of loose leaf tea. You're in the process of moving to a new area, and after spending your time looking at Richmond homes for sale, some tea would be a great way to relax and unwind.

And with January being National Hot Tea Month, it's the perfect excuse to get some from a local shop or cafe. After all, Richmond has an impressive culinary scene, and that includes fantastic tea options!

Here are a few of our favorite places to order tea in the Richmond area.

• Alchemy Coffee - 814 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
  Though their specialty is java, Alchemy Coffee also makes a great cup of loose leaf tea, imported from Portland, OR. They also offer chai, dirty chai, and a host of other hot beverage options. Open at 7 am on weekdays, it's a great way to start your day.
  
  
• Carytown Teas - 2517 W. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23220 
  Carytown Teas prides itself on high-quality teas from around the world. Their store sells everything from black tea to green tea to oolong to Darjeeling, and much more. Their tea of the month club sends three carefully selected, seasonal, artisan teas to your door every month. And once a month, they hold a complimentary tea tasting in-store. If you're looking for a wide variety of great loose leaf teas, there are few better places in the Richmond area.
  
  
• Sugar & Twine Bakeshop and Coffee - 2928 W. Cary St., Richmond, VA  23221
  Just a few blocks away from the Carytown store and right near the Byrd Theatre, Sugar & Twine Bakeshop and Coffee serves a variety of organic loose leaf teas from Rishi Tea & Botanicals. They also serve chai lattes, hot cocoa, a variety of coffee drinks, and more - plus muffins, brownies, croissants, and other delicious, homemade baked goods, baked fresh daily.
  
  
• Rostov's Coffee & Tea - 1618 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220
  Rostovs Coffee & Tea serves a host of different loose leaf teas in various flavors and varieties. There are standards like Earl Grey and English Breakfast, as well as some that are more off the beaten path, like blackberry sage or hibiscus ginger. There are black teas, green teas, white teas, herbal teas, and many others - all high quality and delicious. You can go to their store and browse for the tea you want or order online. They also sell several different tea infusers so that you can brew your loose leaf tea at home.
  
  
• Queen Bee & Co. - 19 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220
  Tea is more than a beverage at Queen Bee & Co., it's an experience! Located inside the Jefferson Hotel, guests can have high tea served for $36 per person. Choose between their fantastic teas shipped from a London tea room. Or utilize the tea room for your next private event for a memorable experience. 

These are just a few of the places where you can get hot, delicious, loose leaf tea in the Richmond area. Our real estate agents know the area and can help you find whatever you're looking for. Contact us if you're ready to make Richmond your new home. We'll help you find the house and the neighborhood that's right for you.